THE TRUANT'S SOLILOQUY


"ALONG THE MOUNTAIN GLADE"

My schoolmates all are blessed to-day,

Their lessons conning o'er;

O, how I wish that I were now

Within that school-room door!

My teacher sits beside her desk,

With a smile upon her face,

Until she looks around the room,

And sees my vacant place.

My heart is aching while I walk

Along the mountain glade;

I love the trees, the rippling stream,

But sigh that I have strayed.

O, there's no joy in the hours of play,

If snatched from the study-time;

No music in the wild-bird's song,

While I hear the school-bell chime.

O, then, I'll seek my school again,

My teacher's rules obey,

Nor wander, as a truant boy,

And waste another day.